BILL NUMBER: SB 382	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Roth

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to  amend Section 981.5 of   add
Article 8 (commencing with Section 999.60) to Chapter 6 of Division 4
of  the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 382, as amended, Roth. Veterans' benefits: Department of
Veterans Affairs. 
   Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to
provide various benefits to veterans.  
   This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to
create a California Veterans Leadership Program to connect returning
veterans of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with
employment, housing, and mental health resources and tools, as
specified.  
   Existing law authorizes the California Veterans' Educational
Institute, which is under the management and control of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide opportunities for veterans
to continue their education. Existing law authorizes the Department
of Veterans Affairs to work with authorized agencies of the United
States in providing those opportunities.  
   This bill would make a nonsubstantive changes to this provision.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Article 8 (commencing with Section
999.60) is added to Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the  
Military and Veterans Code   , to read:  

      Article 8.  Veterans' Services


   999.60.  (a) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall create a
California Veterans Leadership Program that is a resource and
referral network operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs to
connect returning veterans of military operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan with the employment, housing, and mental health resources
and tools needed to lead productive lives and enjoy the full
benefits of the society that they have served.
   (b) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall establish centers
throughout California that would provide employment, housing, and
mental health resources and tools to veterans in one physical
location.
   (c) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall assist a veteran
until he or she has both a job and a place to live.
   (d) The Department of Veterans Affairs may adopt rules as
necessary to implement this section.  
       
  SECTION 1.    Section 981.5 of the Military and
Veterans Code is amended to read:
   981.5.  The department may cooperate and confer with authorized
agencies of the United States in carrying out this article.